Romeo and Juliet Monologue

Romeo and Juliet Monologue

This is part of a Romeo and Juliet project I had to do for English in my Freshman year in High School. Here goes:

Oh what a sweet thing it is to be in love with him! He is not like any other boy; there is something different in his stance. He is poised and polite and wonderful! I cannot think of anyone but him, for when I sleep all I dream about is him and when I cannot sleep all I think about is him! But oh, to have his love would be bewitching to my weak mind. To have his hand clasped so desperately in mine would make me faint. I have never experienced such a profound feeling! It is like the daisies in the summer breeze. The way the touch of the wind pronounces them spellbound, and they bow, foever in its service. I say unto you, my dear Romeo, and let it be known that it is the truth. I would happily lay everything down and follow you into the depths of this bitter world! Oh dear, my dear! What I would give! Anything...? Everything...? But why not, if it is for a love so true and divine? If there is anything wrong in my mind, let it be shown to me that I might make it right, and forever be true to my love, my Romeo. Queen Mab depart! For I will not stand for all this being a dream. Oh, it is all but too real! The touch of his kiss, and the warmth of his hands. There is no deceit in that. For I believe in a love so real, and so prominent that nothing can stop it, not even the Montague's or that horrible name which I must bear as my burden, Capulet; take it from me and make his my own. Let him say to me, "Dear Juliet, my stunning bride!" and be no hesitation from his lips. For we are everything that matters in this world, and not even death can take its bitter toll on this love...no, not this love...please, no...not this love.

Education

Education
Based on The Republic by Plato
"Quickness to learn, memory, incisiveness, acuity, and everything that follows on these--you know that youthful spirits and high intelligence often refuse to combine with a willingness to live orderly lives accompanied by quiet and stability. Instead, people like this are carried by their acuteness in any chance direction and stability utterly escapes them."¹
I believe that what Socrates is saying, in regards to education, is that we all must be educated to be acute in intelligence. A rather obvious analysis, but one that is quite often overlooked by many. Socrates states that any seed, or growing thing, must be met with suitable nurture, and if it is not then it falls short in growth. This can be related to education by means of children, and how they are brought up and educated. If a child does not get the proper, suitable education, or in the plant’s case, nurture, then he falls short of expectations and mental growth. Hopefully, for the sake of intellectual growth, the parent or guardian has high expectations for their child, for if they don’t then the child excuses himself from the said education.
“Then if someone educated in music and poetry pursues the same track in gymnastic, he will choose to have no need of medicine beyond what is minimally necessary?”
“Yes, and he will even undertake the labors of gymnastic exercise with a view to the spirited form of his nature, rousing it by his exertions, rather than to bodily strength…”²
What Socrates is saying here, I believe, is that when you are educated in a certain subject, you cannot possibly go from that to another without being educated in it as well. By doing so not only would a fool be made of yourself, but it would disrepute the subject in which you are making a fool of yourself!
According to me, Socrates logic makes heads spin. In other words, it requires you THINK. In thinking, it is more beneficial to the thinker to have some level of education. Philosophy is thinking, and thinking leads to ideas, which leads to opinions, then onto statements and so and so forth. Without education, thinking is somewhat useless, and indirectly, so are the uneducated opinions and statements.
Permit me to be philosophical and poetic for a moment and say that education is the altruistic form of knowledge. Education seeks us, but for it to take full form in our soul, like it should, we must also seek it in return. It is like returning a grandiose favor; not necessarily required, however normally expected. Education gives us the license to be whatever we want, whoever that may be, and with no limitations or rules. It is the quintessence of freedom; the opposite of intellectual poverty; the pinnacle of life; the romantic infusion of knowledge and thirst for the simplicity of just knowing.
“…we must acknowledge that education is not what it is said to be by some, who profess to be able to put knowledge into a soul where it is not present, as though putting sight into blind eyes.”³
What Socrates is saying is that we all have different view points and definitions of education. It cannot just be shoved into our minds like cramming information at twelve A.M. the night before the finals. It takes time, and we all must be willing to learn. We must crave knowledge and thirst for intelligence. This is how we must receive education: willingly.

Footnotes
(ALL FOOTNOTES ARE FROM THE REPUBLIC BY PLATO)
1 – Book 6, pg. 214
2 – Book 3, pg. 101
3 – Book 7, pg. 232

Justice

Justice
Based on The Republic by Plato
Plato’s view on justice seems to fluctuate throughout the book. The first book is mainly on
Socrates, Polemarchus, and Thrasymachus discussing the topic: justice. It seems that Thrasymachus has a more innocent, childlike view on justice, because he simply questions Socrates and Polemarchus, who seem to have a more acuminous and proficient view on justice, however close minded that may be. \
Socrates and Polemarchus, in the first book, discusses what exactly justice is. They never come to an exact conclusion to give a valid definition, but simply mark over what is what, and which is just or unjust. Thrasymachus, in his childlike manner, is quick to jump on Socrates for his sly refusal to answer a question fully. Socrates, in the only way I can figure, is in a state of mock shock, and slight amusement as he lazily tries to defend himself. However, it seems as though Thrasymachus is one step ahead of him, in that he calls him out again because in his defense of not giving an answer, he does not give an answer! He simply cannot answer Thrasymachus’ question, what is his definition of justice, because he does not know. Thrasymachus then goes on to make his opinion clear, stating that the just is the advantage of the stronger. He gives examples of three different types of government to make his point: tyranny, democracy, and aristocracy. Socrates makes his argument by saying that he agrees that just is the advantage, but does not know if it holds necessarily only to the stronger. As the point is argued, they come to a partial resolution, in that Thrasymachus agrees only slightly with Socrates. It seems the astute Socrates outwits the novice Thrasymachus. As Thrasymachus continues to argue his way out of agreement, or at least try, Socrates takes what he said to mean something different. Socrates comprehended, whether purposefully or not, that Thrasymachus meant that “the unjust life is stronger and superior to the just life,” when really that was Socrates’ play on words. Socrates then brings Glaucon into the conversation, seemingly to get everyone to convince Thrasymachus that he is wrong. But who is to say what is wrong or right? According to Socrates, justice is stronger than injustice, and to Thrasymachus the opposite. Not that justice is weaker then injustice, but that injustice is stronger than justice. Do not misquote or falsely accuse Thrasymachus.
Everyone is at an agreement that justice is wisdom and virtue, while injustice is vice and ignorance. Now on to decide which is stronger, justice or injustice, and why. Socrates goes on to say that if justice and injustice hold true to the afore mentioned definitions, then it is easily determined that justice is stronger than injustice. Socrates then asks Thrasymachus this: “…will the city which becomes stronger then another city have this power without justice, or does it necessarily have it with justice?” Thrasymachus answers, “With justice if justice is wisdom, as you were now claiming. With injustice, if as I claimed.”¹ Socrates mockingly, but not quite sarcastically, applauds him for his ability to give a methodical answer. Socrates concluded this book by saying that he is like the gluttons at a feast who grab at the newest dish of food before even tasting the previous one. However, he means in the manner of arguing, the he kept “going from this to that,” and that he now know nothing of justice and what he does not know of justice, he could not tell you if it happens to be a virtue or not, and if whoever has it is happy or not.
Thrasymachus said that ruling is an infallible art. All art is quite useless.²



Footnotes
1 – Quote from The Republic by Plato. Socrates and Thrasymachus, Book I, pg. 32
2 – Quote from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, The Preface, pg. 2

Books

There is something so very titillating about books, whether it be the sound of turning pages, the smell of new or antique ones, or the feel of that glorious page as it turns in your fingers to the next exciting and captivating line. Books are an escape from reality, one in which we can put our whole heart and soul with reckless abandon; the only sacred form of its kind. Nothing compares to a leather-bound book. The rough, dry feel of the animal skin cover in relation to the smooth, silky texture of the ivory-stained page is exhilarating. It is so formal, to be in relation to such a book, but yet it is informal, because all that must be done to engulf yourself in the world of your choice is let go. It is in no manner relegation, but quite the opposite. You are releasing yourself into a safer, authoritative position. You are not in control, except for but one thing, and that is the courage to keep reading, most importantly when the climax is reached. A book will never close on you, it will welcome you, open cover to cover. It will forgive you when you put it down for days on end, comfort you in the frightening parts, and will rejoice with you at the end when all is as it should be. Do not ever judge the ending of a book, for it is truly perfect. Nothing must be done to change it, because then it becomes submissive, and all should know that books are certainly not that. A line from the song Books are Buring by XTC went as such, "I believe the printed word should be forgiven, beyond the guage of good or bad. The wisdom hotline from the dead back to the living. Made to order for the fearful and sad." These are wise words, and should be cherished always.
"There is something so very titillating about books."

Pennsylvania

A roaring tour bus is what I road through Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. As I passed the fields of fallen solders I could almost envision the actions in which they had partaken. Silently off the bus we went. I walked quietly along the path, over the rocks of Little Round Top, letting the breeze caress me roughly. The weather up there is the quintessence of crisp and refreshing. No sooner had we gotten off the bus did we get back on...I did not want to leave. No, I would have stayed all day.
Soon, I was walking towards the Pennsylvania Memorial. Others were walking either slower or faster than I, but none beside me. Some passed and sang childish song, making up lyrics to already composed tunes. A chill wind rushed over me as our teacher speaks passionately of what happened 'on the very ground which you stand.' The bus roars behind us, startling some.
"...a bloody awful way to fight," is the first thing I hear as I look up. He chooses his words so carefully, his delivery is precise. If only my generation could learn that from him, we'd be ten times better off. Even when he stumbles over his words, it is done gracefully, almost like it is done on purpose, perhaps trying to disprove our suggestion that he is perfect. Yes, that would be very much like him. And up we go...eleven, seven, six; eleven steps up; landing; seven more steps up; landing; six steps down; landing. And repeat. I can't help but wonder if there is significance in those numbers...
Looking up I see wondrous statues of men whose names are very well-known to a very small few. The wind rustles my hair, getting in the way of my view. I walk away. Others follow, and we walk up a slight hill to see the rest of the statues and memorials. The Irishmen. I see their emblem on almost everything. It's comforting to me, knowing that my heritage is of Irish and Scottish descent; men who fight, women who labor, children who play. It is rather comforting...

Pennsylvania. Cool, crisp, tantalizing country. I will come back to you again.